A decisive and much-needed victory helped the San Francisco 49ers end their recent two-game slide and regain some confidence.

Now, they hope to prevent the Houston Texans from doing the same when the teams meet Sunday night at Candlestick Park.

After being outscored 56-10 in consecutive losses to Seattle and Indianapolis, San Francisco (2-2) looked dominant on both sides of the ball during a 35-11 win at St. Louis on Sept. 26.

After rushing for 142 yards in the first three games, Frank Gore ran for 153 and a touchdown against the Rams. Teammate Anquan Boldin caught five passes for 90 yards and a TD following the same two-game stretch in which he had six receptions for 74.

Colin Kaepernick completed 47.3 percent of his passes while throwing four interceptions, no touchdowns and taking six sacks versus Seattle and Indianapolis. Against the Rams, he went 15 of 23 for 167 yards but threw two TDs without a pick.

"We know the talent we have on this team," Kaepernick said. "We know what we're capable of."

A defensive unit that gave up 356 rushing yards to the Seahawks and Colts held the Rams to 18 even without stars Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith in the lineup.

As Smith remains out indefinitely while attending a rehab facility following his second drunken-driving arrest, it's uncertain if Willis will return from a groin injury. Offensive lineman Joe Staley is expected to play after he injured his leg at St. Louis.

Like the 49ers, Houston (2-2) is a Super Bowl hopeful mired in a mediocre start and looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

"We're not where we want to be, but there's a long, long way to go," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "We're a very capable football team, but we've got to be a more consistent football team."

After beating San Diego and Tennessee by a combined nine points, the Texans were blown out 30-9 at Baltimore, then blew a 17-point halftime lead in last Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to Seattle.

That defeat prompted the team to hold a players-only meeting Monday.

"This isn't fun, man. I was sick of it after one loss," said defensive end J.J. Watt, who has recorded all 3 1/2 of his sacks in the last three games.

"We'll get it fixed. Everything that's wrong will be fixed. I can promise that."

Quarterback Matt Schaub needs to show some improvement after throwing six interceptions already - one of which has been returned for a TD in three straight games.

Despite those struggles, Kubiak has no plans to make a change.

"He's our quarterback," he said. "I don't see a lack of confidence. I see poor decision-making situations. It's something he has to handle and something we have to help him handle."

Schaub should remain comfortable relying on running back Arian Foster, who recorded 171 total yards last Sunday after totaling 227 in the first three games.

Houston allowed an average of 91.3 rushing yards through the first three weeks of the season, but yielded 179 to the Seahawks.

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What I want to see:

Stuff the run, make the indecisive Kaepernick...indecisive.

I cannot stress this enough. CK7 can run, but when he is flushed out the pocket, he has a tendency to make mistakes. To get him outside of his comfort zone, we have got to stop their run game. Outside of a 43 yd run, Lynch last week: 16 car, 55 yds. It CAN be done.

Do not hide Schaub

Last thing we need to see is Kube hiding 8 like he's a rookie. I know he's made some mistakes (hell, I've said I'm done with him), but hiding him is a mistake. Allow him to make amends. Let him throw it like nothing has happened. We got no choice here.

Test out the middle of SF's D

Whether it's running the football or passing to the TEs, the middle of the Niner D must be tested. If Patrick Willis is a go, Texans must test him. Running the football...I don't even have to go into that. We'll do that regardless.

FINISH

Last week, that's something our boys did NOT do. So, it's time to make up for it. This game is huge for us, so finishing and playing 60 minutes; any cliche you can come up with, definitely applies here.

Well, folks...our old friend has come; the friend known as "Nationally Televised Game". So, let's do like Hannibal Lecter and have that old friend for dinner. Huge game tonight, folks, so let's do this! Same goals as always; 1-0 every week! So, let's go to 'Frisco, get this W, and get back on the winning track! Haven't done this all year, but we need some extra mojo, so...

My fear is that we are going to see Schaub (as he put it) "cut loose." And with his limitations a given and unchanged, he will be Hell-bent to prove that his foot, arm and brain are not a problem, in turn leading to a concentration of more WTF moments. This would be especially a worrisome scenario if our rushing game falters.

My fear is that we are going to see Schaub (as he put it) "cut loose." And with his limitations a given and unchanged, he will be Hell-bent to prove that his foot, arm and brain are not a problem, in turn leading to a concentration of more WTF moments. This would be especially a worrisome scenario if our rushing game falters.

Way to brighten and already gloomy forecast. Maybe I should just start drinking now...it's a been a few years (or more) since I drank for 12 hours straight.

My fear is that we are going to see Schaub (as he put it) "cut loose." And with his limitations a given and unchanged, he will be Hell-bent to prove that his foot, arm and brain are not a problem, in turn leading to a concentration of more WTF moments. This would be especially a worrisome scenario if our rushing game falters.

I see your point, but I fear the opposite. I can see Schaub so concerned to not make a mistake in this game, that he holds on to the ball too long and allows the offense to stagnate.

This is a WCO, which is designed to get the ball out on time. Use the backs and TEs. 160 yards receiving by backs and TEs in the 1st half. 52 yards in the 2nd half and overtime. And everything doesn't have to be play action. Give Schaub a chance to keep his eyes on the defense. If Schaub must be the QB, at least give him the best chance for success.

I see your point, but I fear the opposite. I can see Schaub so concerned to not make a mistake in this game, that he holds on to the ball too long and allows the offense to stagnate.

This is a WCO, which is designed to get the ball out on time. Use the backs and TEs. 160 yards receiving by backs and TEs in the 1st half. 52 yards in the 2nd half and overtime. And everything doesn't have to be play action. Give Schaub a chance to keep his eyes on the defense. If Schaub must be the QB, at least give him the best chance for success.

That would be a strange definition for what he calls "let loose." But nothing would surprise me, as Schaub may have the exact same handle on the English language as he does of the QB position.

I'd be somewhat worried of Schaub without a healthy dose of play action (which he has also lost handle on), in that that would leave him very exposed as a statue waiting for a pigeon to crap on him.

What? Over? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!...

It ain't over now, 'cause when the goin' gets tough, the tough get goin'. Who's with me? Let's go! Come on!

What the f--k happened to the Texans fans I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? This could be the greatest game of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst. 'Ooh, we're afraid to go with you, we might get beaten.' Well, just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Kap, he's a dead man! Gore dead! Davis dead!